But in the end, Jose Mourinho couldn’t stop himself hitting back at the criticism he puts results before entertainment at Manchester United because the accusation irks him so much.

Mourinho cannot understand why he is pilloried for his style when other clubs are showered with praise for playing the same way.

The United boss feels this is unfair and is baffled by the negativity when they are second in the Premier League, having lost just once, and are on the verge of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in four years.

This was why he held his index finger up to his lips at the final whistle of United’s win over Tottenham on Saturday to tell the snipers to be quiet.

“I don’t want to comment,” when asked if the criticism was unfair. “I don’t want to comment because if I comment, I am going to do a job that is not my job.

“Sometimes I feel I could or I should, but other times I cool down and I think I shouldn’t and I am not going to do that.

“I know that there is a different way of analysing things for this reason or that reason.

“Similar performances for some clubs are magic, are examples of brilliant tactics and amazing attitude by the players, while for other teams the same kind of performance becomes conservative, becomes negative, becomes so many adjectives.”

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Mourinho had Tottenham in mind as he complained about being the victim of these double standards.

It is understood he is bemused by the plaudits heaped on Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham players when they have not won so much as a brass button.

Yet he, despite winning the Europa League and the EFL Cup last season, is constantly scrutinised.

“But Tottenham didn’t score against Manchester United, so at least give my players the little bit of credit they deserve.”

Mourinho’s tactical approach on his latest return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday will be analysed, especially because Chelsea appear vulnerable.

Mourinho was at pains to play down the significance of going back to the Bridge, claiming his history with the Blues has little bearing on the fixture. “It isn’t a big thing,” he said. “It’s normal, it’s football, it’s professionalism. It’s football life. One day you are in one club, the next day you are in another club.

“It’s a big thing because it’s a big match and the opponent is the champion. It’s one of these matches between the top teams in the country, but from the emotional point of view, it’s just one more game.”

Mourinho did manage a moment of humour in between bashing his critics and cracked a joke when asked if his players have grown since their 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea a year ago.

Chelsea battered United last season (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Mourinho and Conte clash (Image: REUTERS)

“Maybe Rashford 2 centimetres, Scott McTominay 3!” he smiled.

Mourinho had to bring his press conference forward 24 hours because he was due in court today in Spain to answer charges he owes £2.9million in unpaid taxes from his time as Real Madrid boss.

He insisted the case is not a distraction as he prepares to face Chelsea.

“No,” he said. “It’s just a change of normal training time because I cannot be here in the morning so I have to change the timings, just that.”